Cannabis factory located after proactive warrant at Eastleigh residential property

We have executed a warrant at an address on Southampton Road in Eastleigh this morning (28 July), discovering a cannabis factory in the process.

Officers from Eastleigh’s High Harm Team, alongside support from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, entered the property at around 9am this morning and found approximately 80 to 100 cannabis plants in various stages of growth.

SSE have been made aware and are investigating to ensure that the property, and those surrounding it, remain safe.

Local Police Community Support Officers have been conducting reassurance patrols in the area and talking with residents via house-to-house enquiries.

No arrests have been made at this time, but police enquiries will remain ongoing – so you may see an increased police presence in the area today.

We know that many people think it is just a bit of cannabis, but we want to stress that any production of drugs is linked to hidden harm.

Large-scale operations are often run by organised crime gangs, who are likely to engage in very serious violence involving weapons, such as firearms.

The electrical requirement to grow this many plants is also really dangerous and can be a huge fire risk, putting neighbouring properties, and lives, in danger.

We encourage people to please continue to report suspicious behaviour and suspected drug dealing in your neighbourhood to police, as the information you provide helps us develop the bigger picture that leads us to take action and remove drugs from the streets.

People can contact us on 101 or online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/.